JP2015534066A - Pressure sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A pressure sensor capable of stably maintaining a connection state with a connection substrate is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a sensor module, a connection board coupled to the sensor module, a spring having one end electrically connected to the connection board, and both ends arranged on different straight lines or on one plane, a sensor module, a connection board, And a housing for housing the spring.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle pressure sensor that is provided in a hydraulic block of an antilock brake system (ABS) of a vehicle and is in contact with a circuit board of an electronic control unit (ECU) in order to detect a brake fluid pressure.

  Generally, a vehicle includes a brake system for decelerating or stopping the vehicle. The brake system includes a brake pedal for transmitting an operation force from a user, that is, a driver, a booster and a master cylinder connected to the brake pedal to generate a hydraulic brake pressure, and a hydraulic brake pressure from the booster and the master cylinder. And a wheel brake for stopping the vehicle wheel based on the input.

  In a vehicle, after the driver presses the brake pedal of the brake system to generate a braking force, if the brake pressure is greater than the frictional force of the road surface, that is, the wheel brake frictional force resulting from the brake pressure is generated from the tire or the road surface. When the braking force is greater than the braking force, the vehicle may be affected by a slip effect that causes the vehicle tire to slip on the road surface. In such situations where the brake system is operating, the steering system may be locked, and thus the driver may not steer the vehicle in the desired direction.

  An anti-lock brake system (ABS) has been developed to electronically control the brake pedal effort so that the driver can steer the vehicle regardless of the slip effect. The ABS includes a hydraulic device including a plurality of electromagnetic valves, a low-pressure accumulator and a high-pressure accumulator for adjusting brake pressure transmitted to the wheel brake, and an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling electric parts. Further, the hydraulic device includes a pressure sensor for detecting a brake operating pressure generated from the master cylinder in accordance with a driver's brake pedal depression force and transmitting the detected brake operating pressure to the ECU as an electric signal. The ECU controls the brake operation based on the transmitted electric signal.

  Such an existing pressure sensor is provided in a hole formed at the front end of the master cylinder, and is electrically connected to the circuit board of the ECU via a further connector and cable. However, when braking force is generated by the driver's brake pedal depression force, the pressure sensor may move due to minute vibrations. The existing pressure sensor is elastically pressurized by a spring and is electrically connected to the circuit board. When relatively large vibrations are input, the pressure sensor may move away from the ECU circuit board, and the terminals on the circuit board will not be properly connected, resulting in poor contact and thereby unstable signals. And may generate power.

  Further, the pressure sensor is provided so as to electrically connect the terminal of the circuit board to the terminal of the ECU via a linear spring. However, if the position of the ECU terminal changes, the position of the circuit board terminal needs to be changed on the same axis relative to the ECU terminal for electrical interconnection via a linear spring. In such a case, the components of the pressure sensor need to be replaced based on the circuit board, and the existing pressure sensor has a low degree of design freedom.

  One aspect of the present invention provides a pressure sensor that prevents inadequate contact with a circuit board of an electronic control unit (ECU) and can be correctly connected to terminals of various circuit boards.

  Furthermore, this pressure sensor having a high degree of design freedom is electrically connected to the ECU without replacing a part of the pressure sensor even if the position of the terminal of the circuit board changes.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a sensor module, a connection board coupled to the sensor module, a spring having one end electrically connected to the connection board, and both ends arranged on different straight lines or planes, There is provided a pressure sensor for a vehicle including a sensor module, the connection board, and a housing for housing the spring.

  The spring may include a stepped portion formed by bending the spring into a crank shape. A plurality of springs may be provided, and a stepped portion is formed at the same position of the plurality of springs. The pressure sensor accommodates a lower spring holder for seating a lower part below the stepped part of the spring and an upper part above the stepped part of the spring, and supports the outer side of the spring. And an upper spring holder coupled to the spring holder. The pressure sensor may include an inner frame for accommodating the spring and the connection board, and a cover frame for accommodating the inner frame. The pressure sensor may further include a blocking member for fixing and supporting the plurality of springs so that the springs can pass therethrough. The blocking member may be provided to block a path through which foreign matter enters along the spring, and may be interposed between the lower spring holder and the upper spring holder.

  The pressure sensor is coupled to the lower spring holder for receiving the lower spring holder for seating the lower portion below the stepped portion of the spring and the upper portion above the stepped portion of the spring. The upper spring holder may include an upper spring holder including a fastening hook for fastening at a lower end of the upper spring holder. The housing may include a fastening portion to which the fastening hook of the upper spring holder is fastened.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the spring can be stably brought into contact with the connection board by using the spring that includes the stepped portion and whose both ends are not arranged on a straight line.

  Therefore, when the position of the terminal of the connection board changes, the distance between the springs is set to be different at one end of the spring and the other end of the spring, so that the spring or a part of the spring can be replaced without changing. Action can be taken. As a result, existing manufacturing lines can be applied to various electronic control units (ECUs) designed to be applied to installation spaces that are set differently based on the vehicle model.

It is a perspective view of a pressure sensor concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the pressure sensor of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pressure sensor of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pressure sensor which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of a pressure sensor concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the pressure sensor of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pressure sensor of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pressure sensor which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. Embodiments are described below by referring to the drawings to illustrate the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

  1 is a perspective view of a pressure sensor 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor 10 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure sensor 10 of FIG. FIG.

  1 to 3, the pressure sensor 10 includes a sensor module 11, a connection substrate 14, a spring 15, a housing 12, and a spring holder 16.

  The sensor module 11 includes various sensor gauges for detecting pressure. The connection board 14 is provided so as to be connected to the end of the sensor module 11 to which the sensor is attached. The detailed technical configuration and function description of the sensor module 11 and the connection substrate 14 are omitted here.

  The spring 15 is provided so as to be electrically connected to the connection substrate 14. The number and arrangement of the springs 15 are determined so as to correspond one-to-one with terminals (not shown) included in the connection board 14. For example, the four springs can be arranged in a square. However, the number and arrangement of the springs 15 are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings, and can be variously changed based on the shape of the terminals of the connection board 14.

  The spring 15 is in contact with the terminal of the connection board 14 and is connected in a state in which a predetermined amount of elasticity is applied to the connection board 14 so that the spring 15 is stably connected to the connection board 14 even in a vacuum state. Connected to the substrate 14. For example, the spring 15 is a coil spring having a predetermined length, and the spring 15 is connected to the connection substrate 14 while being compressed in the vertical direction. The spring 15 is formed such that both ends thereof are not arranged in a straight line so that the arrangement distance between the springs is different between the upper part and the lower part of the spring 15. For example, the spring 15 includes a stepped portion 151 formed in a state where the spring 15 is bent in a “crank” shape in the middle of the vertical direction. However, the shape of the spring 15 is not limited to the illustrated example, and therefore, the spring 15 can have various shapes in which both ends are not arranged on a straight line.

  Due to the stepped portion 151, the distance between the springs can be set to be different between the upper part and the lower part of the spring 15. Therefore, the spring 15 can flexibly cope with a change in the position of the terminal of the connection board 14. Specifically, even if the position of the terminal of the connection board 14 changes, the spring 15 can be connected to the terminal of the connection board 14 by changing the position of the stepped portion 151 of the spring 15 without replacing the spring 15. it can. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in design is improved by connecting the spring 15 to the connection board 14 based on the position of the terminal of the connection board 14 without replacing the spring 15 and a part of the spring 15, for example, the spring holder 16. Can be done.

  The housing 12 accommodates the sensor module 11, the connection board 14, and the spring 15 so as to form an exterior of the pressure sensor 10. A spring protection member 13 is provided at the end of the housing 12 opposite to the side where the sensor module 11 is provided. The spring protection member 13 accommodates a portion of the spring 15 protruding from the spring holder 16 so as to prevent the spring 15 from being deformed. When the spring 15 and the pressure sensor 10 are provided in an apparatus, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle, the spring protection member 13 is removed so that the spring 15 and the pressure sensor 10 are provided in the apparatus. The housing 12 includes a spring holder 16 that fixes and supports the spring 15 therein. That is, the sensor module 11, the connection board 14, and the spring 15 included in the spring holder 16 are continuously stacked and connected to the housing 12 of the pressure sensor 10. Further, the housing 12 includes an O-ring 17 on the side surface of the housing 12. Here, the detailed technical configurations and functions of the sensor module 11 and the connection substrate 14 are omitted here.

  The housing 12 includes an inner frame 122 and a cover frame 121. The cover frame 121 accommodates components such as the inner frame 122 and the spring 15 so as to form an exterior of the pressure sensor 10. The inner frame 122 is provided between the sensor module 11 and the connection board 14 and maintains a space so that the connection board 14 can be separated from the upper end of the sensor module 11 by a predetermined space. Further, the inner frame 122 includes a structure for fixing the connection board 14 in order to maintain each position by the connection board 14. For example, the inner frame 122 includes a fastening flange 1222 at the end of the inner frame 122 where the inner frame 122 is coupled to the connection substrate 14. The fastening flange 1222 protrudes from the end of the inner frame 122 by a predetermined height, and a plurality of fastening flanges 1222, for example, four fastening flanges, are fastened to the outer peripheral surface of the connection board 14. However, the inner frame 122 and the fastening flange 1222 need not be limited to the illustrated example, and therefore the shape of the fastening means between the inner frame 122 and the inner frame 122 and the connection substrate 14 can be variously changed. it can.

  The housing 12 is fixed to the sensor module 11 by welding. For example, an end connected to the sensor module 11 from the inner frame 122 (hereinafter referred to as a first end 1211 of the inner frame 122) and an end connected to the sensor module 11 from the cover frame 121 (hereinafter referred to as a cover). The first end portion 1221 of the frame 121 is fixed to the sensor module 11 by welding.

  Since the spring 15 is a coil spring having a predetermined length and receives a force along the longitudinal direction, the spring holder 16 is provided so as to accommodate the spring 15 in order to prevent the spring 15 from buckling. The spring holder 16 includes an upper spring holder 161 that accommodates and supports an upper portion above the stepped portion 151 of the spring 15, and a lower spring holder 162 that supports a lower portion below the stepped portion 151 of the spring 15. . The upper spring holder 161 includes a guide hole 1611 into which the spring 15 is inserted. The lower spring holder 162 is formed such that the stepped portion 151 of the spring 15 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower spring holder 162. The stepped portion 151 of the spring 15 and the lower portion below the stepped portion 151 are attached to the upper surface and the side surface 1621 of the lower spring holder 162 so as to prevent the spring 15 from buckling. Furthermore, means for fixing the position of the spring 15 in the lower spring holder 162 and preventing buckling and deformation of the spring 15 are provided. A spring guide portion 1613 is provided at the end of the upper spring holder 161. The spring guide portion 1613 protrudes downward from the upper spring holder 161 and is coupled to the outside of the side surface 1621 of the lower spring holder 162 so as to support the outside of the spring 15 from the outside. Further, the spring guide portion 1613 has a semi-cylindrical shape that houses the spring 15 therein and is coupled to the side surface 1621 of the lower spring holder 162.

  The upper spring holder 161 and the lower spring holder 162 are provided in a structure that is coupled to each other. For example, a coupling protrusion 1622 that protrudes to a predetermined height is provided at the center of the lower spring holder 162, and a coupling hole 1612 that corresponds to the coupling protrusion 1622 is provided in the upper spring holder 161. The coupling protrusion 1622 of the lower spring holder 162 is inserted into the coupling hole 1612 of the upper spring holder 161 so that the upper spring holder 161 and the lower spring holder 162 can be coupled to each other. The coupling protrusion 1622 is provided in the lower spring holder 162 and the coupling hole 1612 is provided in the upper spring holder 161. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, and the positions of the coupling protrusion 1622 and the coupling hole 1612 are not limited. May change. In addition to the coupling protrusion 1622 and the coupling hole 1612, the coupling means between the upper spring holder 161 and the lower spring holder 162 may be different.

  Further, a blocking member 18 may be provided so as to prevent foreign matter from entering along the spring 15. Referring to FIG. 4, for example, the blocking member 18 is provided so that the plurality of springs 15 can pass therethrough. The blocking member 18 is interposed between the upper spring holder 161 and the lower spring holder 162. Here, the blocking member 18 may be formed as a single member through which all the springs 15, for example, four springs can pass. Alternatively, the blocking member 18 may be a member provided individually for each spring 15. The shape of the blocking member 18 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4 and may be different.

  The blocking member 18 may be formed by performing insert molding or bending molding on the spring 15. Such a method can be variously changed, and another method may be used to block a path through which foreign matter enters along the spring 15.

  5-8 are provided to illustrate a pressure sensor 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a perspective view of a pressure sensor 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor 20 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the pressure sensor 20 of FIG. It is a perspective view.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the pressure sensor 20 includes a sensor module 21, a connection board 24, a spring 25, and a housing 22. Hereinafter, parts that are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are referred to by the same names as the parts described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and repeated descriptions are simplified. For simplicity, it is omitted here.

  The sensor module 21 includes various sensor gauges for detecting pressure. The connection substrate 24 is provided so as to be connected to the end of the sensor module 21 to which the sensor is attached. The detailed technical configuration and function description of the sensor module 21 and the connection substrate 24 are omitted here.

  The spring 25 is provided so as to be electrically connected to the connection substrate 24. The number and arrangement of the springs 25 are determined so as to correspond one-to-one with terminals (not shown) included in the connection board 24. For example, the four springs are arranged in a square. However, the number and arrangement of the springs 25 are not limited to the example shown in the drawings, and can be variously changed based on the shape of the terminals of the connection board 24.

  The spring 25 is in contact with the terminal of the connection board 24 and is connected in a state where a predetermined amount of elasticity is applied to the connection board 24 so that the connection is stably performed even in a vacuum state. Connected to the substrate 24. For example, the spring 25 may be a coil spring having a predetermined length, and the spring 25 may be connected to the connection board 24 while being compressed in the vertical direction. The spring 25 is formed so that both ends can be arranged on different straight lines or planes so that the arrangement distance between the springs is different between the upper part and the lower part of the spring 25. For example, the spring 25 includes a stepped portion 251 formed in a state where the spring 25 is bent in a “crank” shape in the middle of the vertical direction. By the stepped portion 251, the distance between the springs can be set to be different between the upper portion and the lower portion of the spring 25. Therefore, the spring 25 can flexibly cope with a change in the position of the terminal of the connection board 24.

  The housing 22 accommodates the sensor module 21, the connection substrate 24, and the spring 25 so as to form an exterior of the pressure sensor 20. A spring protection member 23 is provided at the end of the housing 22 opposite to the side where the sensor module 21 is provided. The housing 22 includes a spring holder 26 that fixes and supports the spring 25 therein. That is, the sensor module 21, the connection board 24, and the spring 25 included in the spring holder 26 are continuously stacked and connected to the housing 22 of the pressure sensor 20. The housing 22 is fixed to the sensor module 21 by welding.

  The housing 22 includes at least one pedestal flange 221 on which the connection board 24 is seated so that the connection board 24 can be separated from the sensor module 21 by a predetermined distance. For example, the base flange 221 is formed inward from a predetermined height of the housing 22 to a predetermined height. In order to stably support the connection board 24, four pedestal flanges are shown in the drawing. However, the number, height, and shape of the pedestal flanges 221 are not limited to the example shown in the drawings. Can be changed. The pedestal flange 221 is formed integrally with the housing 22, and is formed by applying a method of punching the housing 22 and bending the punched portion inward. With this processing method, the structure and process of the housing 22 can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  Here, the opening formed by the base flange 221 being formed in the housing 22 serves as a fastening portion 222 to which the spring holder 26 is fastened. Since the fastening portion 222 is formed by the opening of the housing 22, the O-ring 27 is provided so as to seal the opened fastening portion 222 so as to close the pressure sensor 20. The O-ring 27 is provided in a ring shape having a predetermined thickness, includes a closing portion 271 having a predetermined size so as to close the fastening portion 222, and is interposed between the connection substrate 24 and the lower spring holder 262. Referring to FIG. 6, the connection board 24 is seated on the base flange 221, and the O-ring 27 is disposed on the upper surface of the connection board 24 so as to close the inside of the pressure sensor 20. Closes the opened fastening portion 222 so as to seal the pressure sensor 20.

  Since the spring 25 is a coil spring having a predetermined length and receives a force along the longitudinal direction, the spring holder 26 is provided so as to accommodate the spring 25 in order to prevent the spring 25 from buckling. The spring holder 26 includes an upper spring holder 261 that accommodates and supports an upper portion above the stepped portion 251 of the spring 25, and a lower spring holder 262 that supports a lower portion below the stepped portion 251 of the spring 25. .

  The upper spring holder 261 includes a guide hole 2611 into which an upper portion above the stepped portion 251 of the spring 25 is inserted, and a coupling hole 2612 at the center of the upper spring holder 261 so as to be coupled to the lower spring holder 262. . The lower spring holder 262 includes a guide hole 2621 into which a lower portion below the stepped portion 251 of the spring 25 is inserted, and a coupling protrusion 2623 at the center of the lower spring holder 262 fastened to the coupling hole 2612 of the upper spring holder 261. Including.

  The upper spring holder 261 and the lower spring holder 262 are provided so as to be coupled to each other. For example, the coupling protrusion 2623 protruding to a predetermined height is provided at the center of the lower spring holder 262, and the coupling hole 2612 corresponding to the coupling protrusion 2623 is provided in the upper spring holder 261. The coupling protrusions 2623 of the lower spring holder 262 are inserted into the coupling holes 2612 of the upper spring holder 261 so as to be coupled to each other.

  The stepped portion 251 of the spring 25 is disposed above the lower spring holder 262. Therefore, the guide hole 2611 of the upper spring holder 261 and the guide hole 2621 of the lower spring holder 262 are staggered by the length of the stepped portion 251. Placed in. In order to maintain such an alternate arrangement of the guide holes 2611 of the upper spring holder 261 and the guide holes 2621 of the lower spring holder 262, guide protrusions 2622 inserted into the guide holes 2611 of the upper spring holder 261 are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide protrusion 2622 is inserted into the guide hole 2611 of the upper spring holder 261.

  A fastening hook 2613 is provided at one end of the upper spring holder 261 and is coupled to the fastening portion 222 of the housing 22. For example, the fastening hook 2613 protrudes from the end of the upper spring holder 261 to a predetermined height. Further, a groove 2613 is provided on a side surface of the lower spring holder 262 so that the fastening hook 2613 can be fastened to the fastening portion 222 while the upper spring holder 261 is coupled to the lower spring holder 262.

  The fastening hook 2613 is provided so that the upper spring holder 261 is coupled to the housing 22, but the present invention is not limited to the example shown in the drawings, and therefore, between the upper spring holder 261 and the housing 22. The coupling means can be varied.

  The pressure sensor 20 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking member 28 for preventing foreign matter from entering along the spring 25. Referring to FIG. 8, for example, the blocking member 28 is provided so that a plurality of springs 25 can pass therethrough. The blocking member 28 is interposed between the upper spring holder 261 and the lower spring holder 262. Here, the blocking member 28 can be formed as a single member through which all the springs 25, for example four springs, can penetrate. Alternatively, the blocking member 28 may be a member provided for each spring 25. The shape of the blocking member 28 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8, and may be different. The blocking member 28 may be formed by insert molding or foaming the spring 25. Such a method can be changed in various ways, and other methods may be used to block a path through which foreign matter enters along the spring 25.

  While this disclosure includes specific examples, those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and detail in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. it is obvious. The examples described in this document should be considered merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. Features and aspects in each example should be considered applicable to similar features and aspects in the other examples. If the described techniques are performed in a different order, or the components in the described system, structure, device, or circuit are combined differently or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents If this is done, an appropriate result can be obtained.

  Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents, rather than by this detailed description, and all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are construed as being included in the disclosure. Should.

Claims (9)

A sensor module including a sensor gauge;
A connection board coupled to the sensor module;
A spring having one end electrically connected to the connection board and both ends arranged on different straight lines or planes;
A pressure sensor including a housing for housing the sensor module, the connection board, and the spring.   The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the spring includes a stepped portion formed by bending the spring into a crank shape.   The pressure sensor according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of springs are provided and a stepped portion is formed at the same position of the plurality of springs. A lower spring holder for seating a lower portion below the stepped portion of the spring;
3. A pressure sensor according to claim 2, including an upper spring holder that houses an upper portion of the spring above the stepped portion and is coupled to the lower spring holder to support the outside of the spring. The housing is
An inner frame for accommodating the spring and the connection board;
The pressure sensor according to claim 2, further comprising a cover frame for accommodating the inner frame. Further comprising a blocking member attached to the spring;
The pressure sensor according to claim 2, wherein the blocking member is provided to block a path through which foreign matter enters along the spring, and is interposed between the lower spring holder and the upper spring holder.   The pressure sensor according to claim 6, wherein the blocking member is provided so that the spring can pass therethrough.   The pressure sensor according to claim 6, wherein the blocking member is a single member provided simultaneously on the plurality of springs. A lower spring holder for seating a lower portion below the stepped portion of the spring;
An upper spring holder coupled to the lower spring holder for accommodating an upper portion of the spring above the stepped portion, the upper spring holder including a fastening hook for fastening at a lower end of the upper spring holder; Including
The pressure sensor according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a fastening portion to which the fastening hook of the upper spring holder is fastened.

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